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Newport Beach · Renting & eviction

Renting in Newport Beach: the rules that apply

Newport Beach has no rent control, just-cause or relocation rule of its own; state law governs those for covered units. The city's own renting rules cover short-term lodging permits and condo conversion notices.

Key points

  • Rent cap: State law caps rent increases on covered units at 8.7% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.
  • Just cause: State law lets a covered unit's owner end a tenancy after 12 months' lawful occupancy only for a just cause stated in the notice.
  • Ending notice: State law requires 60 days' notice to end a tenancy, or 30 days if the tenant has lived there less than 1 year.
  • Short-term lodging: Each short-term lodging unit in a residential district needs a city permit, and every stay must be at least 2 nights in a row.
  • R-1 lots: Short-term lodging is not allowed on R-1 Coastal Zoning District lots or single-unit planned community lots unless legally set up by June 1, 2004.
  • Condo conversion: City rule: if a condo conversion is approved, all tenants get 180 days' notice that their tenancy will end.

Each rule below is marked Newport Beach code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

Rent increases

CA state law Newport Beach has no rule of its own on this, so California law applies. Rent cap right now: 8.7% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027 (5% plus 3.7% inflation) (Civ. Code § 1947.12(a)(1), (g)). California's statewide rent cap — the full state rule →

Eviction and just cause

CA state law Newport Beach has no rule of its own on this, so California law applies. Just cause required: After 12 months of lawful occupancy, the owner may terminate only for a just cause stated in the notice (Civ. Code § 1946.2(a)). Just-cause eviction in California — the full state rule →

Relocation payments

CA state law Newport Beach has no rule of its own on this, so California law applies. No-fault eviction relocation assistance: One month's rent (as relocation payment or rent waiver), paid within 15 calendar days of the notice (Civ. Code § 1946.2(d)(3)(A)). Relocation under California's just-cause law — the full state rule →

Notices

Newport Beach code State law requires 60 days' notice to end a tenancy, or 30 days if the tenant has lived there less than 1 year. City rule: if a condo conversion is approved, all tenants get 180 days' notice that their tenancy will end.

All 4 Newport Beach rules on notices, with the code text and the state law underneath →

Security deposits

CA state law Newport Beach has no rule of its own on this, so California law applies. Security deposit cap: One month's rent, on top of the first month's rent (Civ. Code § 1950.5(c)(1), (c)(6)). Deposit return deadline: 21 calendar days after the tenant moves out, with an itemized statement of any deductions (Civ. Code § 1950.5(h)(1)). California security deposit law — the full state rule →

Retaliation

CA state law Newport Beach has no rule of its own on this, so California law applies. Retaliation protection period: For 180 days after a tenant complains about habitability (to the landlord or an agency), the landlord may not evict, raise rent or cut services in retaliation (Civ. Code § 1942.5(a), (b)). Retaliatory eviction in California — the full state rule →

Harassment and lockouts

CA state law Newport Beach has no rule of its own on this, so California law applies. Lockouts and self-help eviction banned: A landlord may not change locks, remove doors or windows, or remove the tenant's belongings to force a tenant out (Civ. Code § 789.3(b)). Utility shutoffs banned: A landlord may not cut off water, heat, electricity, gas or other utilities to force a tenant out (Civ. Code § 789.3(a)). Tenant harassment and lockouts in California — the full state rule →

Repairs and habitability

CA state law Newport Beach has no rule of its own on this, so California law applies. Duty to keep the unit habitable: The landlord must deliver a unit fit to live in and repair conditions that make it untenantable (Civ. Code § 1941). Repair and deduct: A tenant may make a repair the landlord neglects and deduct the cost from rent, up to one month's rent, no more than twice in any 12 months (Civ. Code § 1942(a)). Habitability and repair-and-deduct — the full state rule →

Landlord entry

CA state law Newport Beach has no rule of its own on this, so California law applies. Landlord entry notice: Reasonable written notice, presumed to be 24 hours, and entry only during normal business hours (Civ. Code § 1954(d)(1), (e)). Landlord entry notice in California — the full state rule →

Short-term rentals

Newport Beach code Each short-term lodging unit in a residential district needs a city permit, and every stay must be at least 2 nights in a row. Short-term lodging is not allowed on R-1 Coastal Zoning District lots or single-unit planned community lots unless legally set up by June 1, 2004.

All 8 Newport Beach rules on short-term rentals, with the code text →

Hotel and short-term rental tax

Newport Beach code What Newport Beach's code adds
Tax rate
  • 9% of the rent.
    Applies: Applies to hotel stays, as a percent of the rent the operator charges.
    § 3.16.030 · code text
    For the privilege of occupancy in any hotel, each transient is subject to and shall pay a tax in the amount of 9% of the rent charged by the operator.
Who collects it
  • The guest pays the tax to the hotel operator when the rent is paid.
    § 3.16.030 · code text
    The transient shall pay the tax to the operator of the hotel at the time the rent is paid. If the rent is paid in installments, a proportionate share of the tax shall be paid with each installment. The unpaid tax shall be due when the transient ceases to occupy space in the hotel. If for any reason the tax due is not paid to the operator of the hotel, the Administrative Services Director may require that such tax shall be paid directly to the Administrative Services Director.

Who this affects

TenantsLandlordsProperty managers

Frequently asked questions

How much can rent go up in Newport Beach?

State law caps rent increases on covered units at 8.7% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.

Does a landlord in Newport Beach need a reason to evict?

State law lets a covered unit's owner end a tenancy after 12 months' lawful occupancy only for a just cause stated in the notice.

Does a Newport Beach landlord have to pay relocation?

Newport Beach has no local rule on this that we found (checked October 2026); state law applies: One month's rent (as relocation payment or rent waiver), paid within 15 calendar days of the notice (Civ. Code § 1946.2(d)(3)(A)).

How much can a Newport Beach landlord charge for a security deposit?

Newport Beach has no local rule on this that we found (checked October 2026); state law applies: One month's rent, on top of the first month's rent (Civ. Code § 1950.5(c)(1), (c)(6)).

What is the hotel tax on short-term rentals in Newport Beach?

Newport Beach's code: 9% of the rent. (Applies to hotel stays, as a percent of the rent the operator charges.) (§ 3.16.030); The guest pays the tax to the hotel operator when the rent is paid. (§ 3.16.030).

General information, not legal advice.

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